DISQUS

Well, she's wrong. I mean us whites have groups like country clubs where no African Americans are admitted. We have the United States Senate, which has one black member, we have history 10 out of the 12 months. We have most of the seats in all of the state and federal legislatures in this country. And this isn't even bringing up the fringe groups. /snark


Comments like this woman's make it it clear many individuals still have a long ways to go. But society as a whole is getting better.

June polls means nothing. Absolutely nothing. Things can intervene and conditions can change. The election cannot and will not be won now; it can be lost now. And the Obama campaign is working on it with flubs in Detroit and speculation about a "World Tour," which is a ridiculous idea. Obama is running for President of the United States of American hence he needs to be in America. I can see Iraq and Afghanistan. European rallies would to a total disaster. It wouldn't play well among moderate and conservative voters...which Obama needs to win to win the election.

What do I think? I think my party nominated the most talented politician to rise in 40 years.


I also think about kids--now anybody can be anything. The black kid getting bullied on the playground can say, "Well, I'm going to be President some day," and not get laughed at. It's something special.



I think about the 23,000 people who were shot 15 miles from my house 140 years ago on a September Day. They were supposedly fighting about "states' rights." Local legend says the Antietam Creek ran red with blood for an entire day. Three weeks later, there was the Emancipation Proclamation.



Yet in some ways this is besides the point. Barack Obama got nominated because he is one gifted politician. He did not get nominated because of the color of his skin, yet one cannot ignore the significance of the moment.



An Obama victory in November would give this country a good President. It would give this country a person with intelligence and a grasp of the details in the oval office. It would give this country a person with enormous talents, which could be used mending fences destroyed by Bush's arrogance. It would also be the fulfillment of an American dream started in 1776.



Still, it's only half-time. Lots can go wrong--lots will go wrong--between now and November. I will work twice as hard in the fall as I did in the Spring. And if we are successful in November--if it happens--I will be over joyed for many reasons. Not the least of which is returning intelligence and decency to the oval office.

It may not be as personal for me as it is for the people here (I'm white). But I'm damn proud of my political party tonight.


If Obama can get the press to cover the speeches as a duel between him and McCain, he has it made. McCain was very foolish for trying to interject himself into the night. His speech was a dud--it was boring, there weren't any people behind him, the background looked like a cheesy rip off of Obama's, WTF is the slogan "Leadership We Can Believe in," talk about mimicking. With that performance, McCain boxed himself into the new-Dole category.



Unfortunately, Obama still has to fight a rear-guard battle against Hillary Clinton, a shameless and classless politician worthy of no respect. What we need to start doing: talking up other potential running mates. Get the media talking about more than one running mate.



Barack's latest supporter--Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana)--did so when he suggested Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer as a VP pick on TV. That'll get some attention, and it was a gigantic favor to the Obama campaign by Sen. Tester. Talk up Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Jim Webb, Martin O'Malley, Ed Rendell, Ted Strickland, Kathleen Sebelius, Clarie McCaskill, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Russ Feingold--whomever you want to talk up. *Get other names out there*. The Clintons fear irrelevance the most. It's time to make them one of many, instead of just the one--which commands the spotlight, which they so crave.



The Obama campaign would also be wise to release a list of 50 people they're looking at for VP...A long list like that can't really hurt (as long as you make sure to include everybody who wants to be included on it).

It is *NOT* over. This is *NOT* about Hillary Clinton getting the Democratic Nomination for President. This *IS* about Hillary Clinton sowing division and rendering Obama unelectable in November. Already large chunks of her coalition are bolting to McCain. I don't think that anything Obama can do to win these people back. I really don't. The Geraldine Ferraros and Maria Pappases of the world are gone.


I think Obama has to figure out how to replace them. A prime target should be disillusioned Evangelicals. These are people who don't like the war, and want a more compassionate government but also oppose abortion. Selecting a pro-life running mate makes sense. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania would take PA out of play, aid the cause in Ohio and shore up Michigan (Casey and organized labor are staunch allies). And it could help in the deep south, where Obama could win a state or two if he can get somewhere between 27 and 33% of the white vote. The key is to make sure we're bringing more new people into the party than we are losing the old people like Ferraro.



So I say pick a pro-lifer. I say Bob Casey is a solid pick.

I do not think this was a good political move. I think that the Obama campaign is stuck in a rut. I think that his staff is burnt out, and succumbing to bunker-like thinking. I think he desperately needs very senior staff additions.


I think this comes down to four things which indicate irreconcilable differences with the church:



1. Trinity is a mega church, and as such believes in spreading the "word of the Lord" as far as possible through any means possible. So if that's the case, then if pastor-obsessions (and what this really is is white people--specifically "journalists" like Ben Smith--who have never been exposed to the black church and its function being shocked because that's not the way it's done at the bland Episcopalian Church they go to), then there's massive temptation on the part of the church to create controversy and spread the word.



2. Reverend Wright is bitter. To date, he has remained quiet, but I don't expect that to last the election. I would be upset if I was him to, however I would also not want to give the real enemies--the media who twisted and distorted his words--the satisfaction of "bringing down Obama." If Wright popped up again between now and the election the media--which can't resist the freak show--would go nuts. And there'd be nothing left for Obama to do, which makes it a gigantic problem politically.



3. The fact that Trinity records all their sermons gives the media--and these people truly have no lives--a way to keep talking about Wright. Ultimately with $4 a gallon gas this isn't really an issue people care about. But the media is full of people who make $100,000 a month, so an extra ten bucks in the gas tank means nothing to them. This is about, as it always is with the media, cocktail party conversation. "Oh my God, did you see Father Pfleger?" No one cares, it's minute and irrelevant. But cocktail parties are about the inane.



4. What the media does with those video clips--selectively edit them and run them over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again for 13 weeks has very real effects both on Obama personally and on Trinity. I'd imagine the threats on Obama have increased since Wright; and I know Trinity has received threats. Ultimately this distracts from both party's works, so it's best to go their separate ways.



I can understand that. However, given the Muslim smears, Barack would be wise to find a new church very, very quickly. A Baptist Church which does not allow cameras would be the perfect fit. But that's a personal decision. Still, he should have a new church ASAP.

What's cooking in Hillary's kitchen really, really stinks.

Those of you arguing that he should've come out sooner are way off-base. First, Byrd's long-time aide, Ann Barth, was in a contested primary for Congress (she won and will face Shelly Moore Capito in November). Byrd had to be neutral because of the local dynamics in that race, among other reasons.


Further, his endorsement would've moved votes in West Virginia--but it would not have moved 41%. Obama may have lost by 29% instead of 38% with Byrd's endorsement. If he endorsed and the election went that way, his endorsement would now be viewed as "irrelevant," by the media.



He endorsed six days after his state voted 70-30 the other way. He probably voted for Obama last Tuesday. It's a valuable endorsement. But Obama still would've lost West Virginia even if Byrd had endorsed two weeks ago. It makes sense--it also gives cover to Kentucky politicians (the Lt. Gov. has endorsed Obama) who are undecided but want to back the Democratic Nominee. Byrd is a fine Senator and a fine man. I, for one, appreciate his leadership in the Senate on issues of Iraq, on issues of funding for West Virginia (which helps Maryland too), and his steadfast defense of the Constitution.

Kathleen Sebelius would be a hell of a choice. As would Clarie McCaskill be. As would Mary Landreiu and Blanche Lincoln be. As would Debbie Stabnow would be. As Maria Cantwell and Patricia Murray would be. As would Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer be. As Ruth Ann Minner would be. As Nancy Pelosi would be.


If Barack wants to go that route, there are plenty of options. I think the best option is Obama/Pelosi, but they'd all be fine. Landreiu and Sebelius have geographic advantages working for them...



Let us all remember that this is the choice of the nominee alone. Barack won the nomination, he gets to chose the VP nominee. Period. I trust his judgment. I doubt Hillary Clinton will be on the ticket. Not impossible, but doubtful.

The flag on Barack's plane can't have just 16 stars. It needs to be bigger--and it needs to have 50 stars. Barack's been called up from Triple A. Appearances matter in the big leagues. Hillary's been released by the Democratic Party. A glorious day indeed!

dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, did I say dumb? It's a dumb idea to openly state your BATNA before negotiations. Go back to school on that one Mr. Poulffe. Thankfully, Clinton will probably be out of money by 5-31 and money is what greases the backroom skids. (Not in the bribery sense; in the sense of the potential to raise money for office holders and future candidates for office).

Wright's problem was not speaking out It was in how he managed it. He managed his PR tour extremely poorly. He should've given his Moyers interview and his NAACP speech and let that be for a few weeks. The networks--hoping to land an interview--would've been kind to him. Instead, he decided to appear on every show, including Glenn Beck. The result: he restarted the media shitfest.

He shouldn't endorse Obama. His words have more power coming from an undeclared position. I think we all know he voted for Obama though, and will vote for Obama in Denver.

"Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, I can be center field!"


The music is standard rally fare. The country was blasting out in Harrisburg too. I think they played "only in America." Good song, fits with Obama's campaign.



Keep it up with the country!



Uh oh, we found the divisive issue which will ruin the Obama movement: music. Ha ha.



Forgive me, I was out in the rain today. And I've been working extremely hard...South Central PA is better than expected. I needed a laugh. :) Tuesday will be a good day. I trust Pennsylvania.

Going pretty well in the rural area of PA just up the road from Hagerstown. It'll be closer than expected in Franklin County. I'll write more about it later. Don't get your hopes up--Obama will lose the state, but it's not going to be a disaster. I think it'll be a near dead heat.

Been in rural PA. Nobody, and I mean nobody gives a shit about this. Actually, I should correct myself, they do care. They are happy to see a politician finally speak the truth. They *ARE* pissed and bitter.


Hillary Clinton, by playing the media game, and handing out "I'm not bitter" buttons has exposed herself to be a total poser. She positioned herself on the side that says the status quo is ok, and that the economy is great. Absolutely stupid from my point of view.



As for why rural Americans are bitter, here's why I, a rural white American, am bitter Damn Right I'm Bitter. We're tired of being screwed over so the wealthy in Washington can have their fancy dinners. We don't want the world, but we do want a little respect, a lot of honesty, and a fraction of real help--like health insurance reform.

Bill Clinton wants you to know that Obama doesn't steal cars. Is there any doubt that Bill's heart is a deeply dark place?

Obama visits mother in Pakistan in the 1980s. Huge scandal, according to Ben Smith. Smith has a history with unfair attacks on Obama. I think it's time to write the Politico and demand his resignation/firing.

Bob Casey is one of the two biggest endorsements in Pennsylvania. The other one isn't Governor Rendell...

This is the death throes if I've ever seen it. Why the hell would you piss off the Speaker of the House when she controls the future ambitions of the 55 or so undeclared Super Delegate Members of the House. Yeah, that one makes sense.


Note that this leaked. I am positive that Pelosi leaked it herself. Pelosi has really been the only true leader in our party. She has consistently argued behind the scenes for a more positive campaign. She only took it public after she was ignored by the Clinton camp. She has done a phenomenal job keeping the party from totally blowing up.



I wonder what she will do in response to this. I could see this irritating her to the point where she endorses--and brings 30 Congresspeople along for the ride.



We should drop a money bomb for the DCCC. I bet a couple million could be raised with a well coordinated on-line pitch. And if that is done, then it makes it a lot easier for Pelosi to tell these people to go away.

It's not true. What this is is people trying to manipulate the polls. It wouldn't surprise me if there's been a wink-wink from the Hillary campaign instructing her rabid supporters to vote this way in the polls. Another thing is that with contested primaries like this, the losing side is *ALWAYS* more likely to say that they won't back the winner because of basic psychology.


*THAT SAID* Hillary Clinton is in the process of destroying the party, and our once in a lifetime chance here. If she gets out this week, Obama will have 5 months to unify the party, and these threats will likely go away. The anger will subside, and people will start comparing him to McCain. But if this is dragged on through June, then Obama only has 2 months to unify the party. That is a serious, serious handicap, and one likely to allow McCain to win.



Super Delegates were created to cut off candidacies of spite, like that of Senator Clinton. It's long passed time for them to step in. I believe the only leader they'll listen to is John Lewis. He MUST make a phone call, for our party and our country.

This time it's Hillary herself blowing the whistle. The Clintons are, as Andrew Sullivan says, truly disgusting.

Help Bill retire his debt today.


Bill was my first choice. He would've made a fine President. Courageous decisions like this are evidence as to why...

Thank you! I reported on this last week, but it has got little attention. After I complained about the pushing of the Wright story on his blog, Ben Smith sent me an e-mail which said, "I spiritual advisers to McCain or Clinton made similarly racially charged remarks, I'd run them." I sent him this video after I found it. He has yet to run it. Draw your own conclusions.

I am convinced that there will be a black President in my lifetime. It may happen this year--I think it will happen this year. But if it doesn't, it will happen in part because of that speech, in part because of Jesse Jackson (who is getting an unfair rap), in part because of King and the people he led, in part because of African American blood shed in Korea, World War II and World War I, and in part because of the blood--black and white--shed in the Civil War. Like 8 miles from my house at a place called Antietam. There lay people who gave the last full measure to this country. Those graves, which are weathered and no longer have flags and flowers placed by the now happened to allow this.


And Obama's speech was an act of leadership. It's about time we had that. It was, a "this may end my political career, but it's the right thing to do so I'm going to do it," moment. He did the same when he opposed the war.



I know that when an African American rises to the Presidency this will be part of the reason as to why. It should be Obama; I hope it is Obama.



The media doesn't think so. They're ratings driven Jihad says this doesn't matter. But Luke 6:25 says, "Woe to you who is well fed, for you shall know hunger. Woe to you who laughs now, for you shall mourn and weep." This is the verse that started this. Nobody in the media bothered to read it. I think God's playing a joke on them. And I believe that this verse will ring more true than we know in November...